European Space Agency - Launch your career with ESA | Global Impact Tuesdays

Ever wondered what it is like to work for the European Space Agency?

Lucy van der Tas, Senior Talent Acquisition Advisor, will introduce you to the ESA Entry-Level Programmes, targeting students and recent graduates, and their related selection processes. She will also talk about the types of profiles that ESA is looking for and will give hints and tips on how to write a good CV and motivation letter. Lucy will be joined by a current ESA graduate trainee who will speak about what it is like to be a member of ESA’s highly engaged and active young professional community.

• Information about ESA’s various Entry-Level Programmes can be found here.
• Elegible nationalities: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Event Details:
📅 Date: Tuesday October 6th, 2026
🕒 Time: 17:00 
🌍 Online Event

 

ESA STUDENT INTERNSHIPS

Internship disciplines:

• Technical domains: Mechanical engineering (optical, propulsion, thermal, mechanisms, structures, materials, robotics); Electrical engineering (RF, power & data systems, antennas, microelectronics, EMC, components); System engineering; Telecom and integrated applications; Software engineering; Ground segment systems and operations; Product/quality assurance and safety; Applied mathematics; Earth observation and environmental science (geophysics, meteorology, climatology); Planetary and space science (astronomy, astrophysics, solar physics); Life and material sciences
• Non-Technical domains: Law (contracts, procurement, international public law); Finance (project control, cost analysis, auditing); Communications and public relations; Human resources; Information technology; Facility management

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Education: Final year of Master’s degree. You must have student status and be enrolled at university for the entire duration of the internship.
• Language Skills: Fluent in English.
• Nationality: Must be a citizen of one of the ESA member states, Associate Members, European Cooperating Sattes or Canada. The full list of eligible countries is published in the footer of each ESA vacancy.

Highlights of the ESA Student Internship Program:

• Internship opportunities from 3 to 6 months to students in their final year of a Master's degree in technical and non-technical domains.
• A monthly stipend of €800 for non-residents and €500 for residents is granted. A non-resident is defined as someone living more than 50 km from the relevant establishment. The non-resident allowance will also be granted to students with special needs, irrespective of their residency status.
• Student interns are responsible for their own health insurance, accident insurance and travel expenses.
• Student interns are responsible for finding their own accommodation.

Recruitment Timeline:

• Applications open in November 2026 and remain open for a month. Due to the high number of applications received each year, we can only accept a maximum of two applications per person 
• Shortlisting & Selection: December 2026 to February 2027.
• Start Date: as early as February 2027. The start date is set by mutual agreement between ESA and the university and takes into account the preferences stated in your application form. In principle, you can start at any time between February 2027 and October 2027.

More information: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Student_Internships2
 

ESA GRADUATE TRAINEE PROGRAMME

Highlights of the ESA Graduate Trainee Programme:

• You are a student in the final year of a Master’s degree at university, or have just graduated.
• You have up to 1 year of professional experience since graduating from your Master’s and would like to join us for a one- to two-year assignment.
• You have strong interest in space.
• You are ready to start your career with an on-the-job learning experience on one of ESA’s inspiring missions, joining a team of experts, scientists, engineers or business professionals.
• You are eager to take on new challenges and participate in the peaceful exploration and use of space for the benefit of everyone.

Recruitment Timeline:

• February – March: Publication of EGT opportunities on Careers at ESA
• March – May: Pre-selection and interviews of shortlisted candidates
• June: Outcome of interviews and final selection made by ESA
• September - October: Take up duty for successful candidates

More information: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Graduates_ESA_Graduate_Trainees
 

ESA JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME

Highlights of the ESA Junior Professional Programme:

• You have a Master’s degree.
• You have up to 3 years of professional experience, gained since completing your Master’s degree.
• You have worked in a relevant field for up to three years and are looking for an opportunity to expand your horizons in a role with potential for permanent employment.
• A 4-year rotation-scheme appointment at A1 level (€47,400 to €58,700 per year, exempt from income tax), with the perspective of an indefinite ESA appointment at the end of the programme.
• Relocation package including an installation allowance if you move from another country. Travel and removal expenses are also reimbursed.
• Comprehensive health cover under ESA’s social security scheme. 
• You have a strong interest in space.
• You are eager to learn more about space by working closely with ESA experts on inspiring projects and honing your skills through on-the-job learning and a tailored development programme.
• You aspire to be a part of ESA’s mission of peaceful exploration and use of space for the benefit of everyone.

Recruitment Timeline:

• May – June: Publication of JPP opportunities on Careers at ESA
• July – August: Pre-selection, HR screenings, and interviews are conducted with shortlisted candidates.
• September – October: Final selections are made, and successful candidates begin.

More information: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Junior_Professional_Programme

Talent and Careers | Website | View More Events